Palazzo Sasso, Ravello

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Staff "immediately greet you like you're family" at this twelfth-century palazzo. The cliffside property "cascades down several levels, so there are incredible panoramas everywhere you turn"including from the balconies of the sea-view rooms. The seasonal restaurant Rossellinis serves French-inflected dishes like lamb fillet in a rose crust.

(43 rooms)

Also featured on the: Gold List for 2005, Gold List for 2006, Gold List for 2007, Gold List for 2008, Gold List for 2009, Gold List for 2011